Folding leg serving tray



June 19, 1951 J. w. BRYAN FOLDING LEG SERVING TRAY.

Filed April 12, 1949 ELI-fl j// 2 Sheets-Shea?. 1

June 19; 1951 w, BRYAN I 2,557,594

FOLDING LEG SERVING TRAY 3 z g L37 6 W L 35 L40 39 INVENTOR.

Jon-n.1 W. Enum/AN Patented .une 19, `19:51

lUNI TED `S TAT ES PATENT 0F FICE FOLDING LEG SERVING TRAY J ohn W.A Bryan, Tralill,l NIC.

Application-April 12, 1949, Serial No. 86,997

2Claims. (Cl. B11-'83) .This .invention vrelates to. a serving tray, and more vparticularly to.a serving tray .having .foldingdegswpivoted .thereon for extension, so that the units `maybe used asa .servingtable ,It1is:.an`object:of this invention to provide a folding-legserving .tray of the -kind to be more particularly described hereinafter having legsV which.are..retractable\within the confines of the top-ofthe serving "tray andhaving latch means forasecming the'legstin their folded orextended positions.

.Another Yobject of this invention is toprovide a vnovel Ylatchingi'means'forsecuring .the extended legs their extended position, and a novel latch+actuating means for releasing the interlocking'engagement ofthe extended legs, whereby thelegs ymaybe foldedor retracted below the serving tray.

Still vanother object of this invention is to provide aserving tray of this kind which may be'conveniently 4carried'about to a .desired locationwith the'legs fully retracted below the tray, the, legsbeing mounted for extension to support the tray at the desired position. The ends of the legs. are extended outwardly beyond the. ends of the tray'and connected together-in .pairs at each'end: by transverse barswhichz are positioned forV use .as `handles `for carrying the tray and handles for actuating the legs to their folded andextendedfpositions.

-A further object'of this invention is to providea device of this kind `whereinthe handles of jthe trap constitute the :handlesfor actuating the-tray-supporting legs and for properly rocking the legs for releasing the latching meansA by which the legs are secured in their extended, tray-supporting position. The latchingFV means for .securing the legs in their-retracted-unfolded position is rdisposedadjacent.thehandle bars tofbe readily actuated byaperson supporting thetray byholding the'bars, at which time thelegs'may be-extended toa tray-supporting position.

With theabove and otherobjectsin view, my invention consists in the'rarrangement, combination and .details :of .construction disclosed .in thel drawings and specification, and then more particularly'pointed out-.in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure v1 is a side elevation `of a folding-.leg serving trayr constructedA according 'to' an embodiment of .my invention;

Figure 2 .is a bottom-.plan View .of'theserving tray `shown .in Figure 1;

'Figure 3 is an: end elevation of theserving tray;

Figure tiis---arragmentary detail section taken i2 Figure 5 is.a..bottom planvviewof the. serving tray, showing the legs lpivoted .to their foldedor retracted position;

, Figure .6. isa longitudinalsection takenonthe line.6.6 of Figure 5;

Figure? is a fragmentary, detail, transverse sectin'taken on'the'line 1-"1 .o'f`Figure' 5.

Referring 'to the drawings, the numeral .IJ designates generally a novelv folding-leg serving tray'constructedaccording'to an'embodiment of my invention. The folding-legtray I-U is'ormed of a flat, top tray'member-or platform H Whichmaybefformed of wood'or Vothersuitable'ma-` terial'. The tray memberL H -is formedof arecta'ni guiar frame |F2 having side. frame member-sf Maand t5. extending along the` length-fthereoffand apair of end framemembers or endplates land :H connected .between .thefextreme ends of `Uthesicle frame members. |54 and I 5, respectively. ...A 'center panel I8 issecured within..the..frame EZnbyfen-` gagement of the .sideedgeszof .the vpanel .in a. recess .or groove I9 formed on theinner side'aof each 'of theframe members adjacentthe upper edge thereof.

l Each of the .endframe members I6.and|1is formed. with apair of .cut-out notches A:.20 vonthe lower side. thereof .and adjacent the oppositeends. A..pivot. member 2| issecured across eachof the notches!!! Torpivotally mounting the supporting legs of the serving tray I0 on the end* members thereof. vThe pivot members .'2 lA are formed as flat plates having a central pivot pin 2`2'lbetween the'end plates 24. The endplates `2`4"are'secured tothe "end members I'B and I`1 .adjacentthe'oppositeedges'o'fthe notches 2'0 by`bo'1ts25 or other suitable securing devices.

` A'pair-of-*supporting'legs 2`Sand'j21are pivotally connected'to the pivot members!! on 'one of the end-members,a's'the` end Ymember H. The* end members 26 and 21 are; pivotallywengaged"ony the'pivotmembers 2^! by engagement:offthepivot`V piny 2-2 through-the' legs l-adj'acenttheupper, "outer ends thereof. A handle -28 `isuixed on the Lextreme -upper `endV of Yeach of vthe Vlegs Zland'll` above the pivot=members 2l and is--spacedoutwardlybeyond thefend-lfr-ame members |-1 inlea'ch of the pivoted positions ofthepair o`f-1egs. -A

transverse connecting bar 29 is securedfbe'tween the innersidesof the'llegs 26 and ZTadjacentthe lower ends* thereof, v;.b'eing spaced .upwardly :from the extreme lower or inner'ends-f'o'f each of the legs. A spring 3'0 islxed" betweentheupperfside olithe'-endzmemher I 1 above the notch 20: therein and-each oftheilegs .26% and 21. .a vshort .distance downwardly .from -zthe pivoted Vconnectionnf :the

legs-to the end` memberzl 1. The :coiledspring is arranged for constantly biasing the legs 26 and 21 upwardly to a retracted position between the frame members of the tray member II.

A second pair of legs 3| and 32 are pivotally connected to the pivot members 2| carried by the end frame members I6 opposite from the end frame member I1. The pivot members 2| carried by the end frame member I6 are engaged through the upper ends of the legs 2| and 22 a short distance downwardly from the extreme upper end thereof and a transverse bar or handle 34 is xedly connected to the extreme upper end of each of the legs 3| and 32.

The legs 3| and 32 are constantly biased to a retracted position below the tray lmember II between the side frame members I4 and I5 by a pair of springs 36 which are fixed at one end to the side frame members I4 and I5 and at the other end to the legs 3| and 32 a short distance i downwardly below the pivot thereof. The legs 26 and 21, being xedly connected together by the transverse connecting bar 29 adjacent the lower ends thereof, are adapted to be positioned between the legs 3| and 32, the pairs 0f legs being in criss cross relation with respect to each other in all positions of the legs. Further, the pairs of legs are connected at the criss cross point for movement toward and away from each other.

Each of the legs 3| and 32 is formed with an elongated slot 31 extending along the length thereof adjacent the lower end. The slots 31 constitute channel means extending along the length of each of the legs 3| and 32 within which a latch member or slide 38, pivotally mounted on the outer side of each of the first pair of legs 26 and 21, is adapted to be slidably engaged. The grooves or channels 31 are substantially rectangular in configuration, and the latch member 38 is also rectangular in configuration, the latch member 38 having a length considerably shorter than the total length of the channels 31. Each of the channels 31 is formed with an enlarged recess 39 at the extreme lower end thereof, the

recess 39 being substantially triangular in configuration, having the apex or narrow portion of the triangle at the lower end of the channel or groove 31. The upper end of the triangular recess 39 forms a ledge or shoulder 40 extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface of the groove 31, the ledge 40 being spaced upwardly from the extreme lower end of the groove or channel 31. In the extended position of the legs, the latch member 38 is adapted to be seated against the ledge-40, the extreme upper end, of the latch member 38 being engageable with the lower confronting surface of the ledge 40. The-lower end of the groove 31, at the lower end of the triangular recess 39, is substantially the same width as the major portion of the channel member 31, and the corner 4I formed thereby constitutes the pivot point for the latch member 38 during the pivotal movement of the latch member when the latch member 38 is pivoted for locking the legs in their extended tray-supporting position.

The latch member 38 is pivotally mounted on the outer side of each of the legs 26 and 21 by a bolt or pivot member 42Vwhich extends through the latch member 38 intermediate the length thereof, the latch member 38 being rockably supported on the shank portion of the bolt 42. The latch member or latch 38 is spaced outwardly from the legs 26 and 21 by a washer 44, the washer 44 being slidably engageable with the inner surface of the channeled legs 3| and 32. A second washer 45 is engaged between the head of the bolt 42 and the outer sides of the legs 3| and 32, the inner surface of the washer 45 slidably engaging the outer surfaces of the legs 3| and 32 along the side edges of the channel or groove 31.

A latch 46 is rockably supported on one of the end frame members, as the end frame member I6, for releasably securing the legs 26 and 21 together with the legs 3| and 32 in their retracted or folded position within the limits of the frame members which constitute the tray member or element I2. The latch 46 is formed of an elongatedv length of wire or rod bent upon itself to the desired shape. The rod 46 is formed with an elongated pivot bar 41 which is rockably supported-on the inner side of the end frame member I6 by a pair of eyes or bearing members 48 which are xedly secured to the inner side thereof.v A crank 49, including a radially-extending bar 50 fixed to one end of the pivot bar 41 and a horizontally-extending latching .bar 5|, is fixed to or preferably formed integrally with the extreme outer or lower end of the arm 5|. The bar 5| is adapted to be latchably engaged in a recess 52 which is formed on the extreme lower end of one of the legs, as the leg 21. The inner end of the latch 46 is formed with a downwardly and inwardly-extending lever bar 54 formed integrally with the extreme inner end of the pivot bar'41. A substantially longitudinallyextending, horizontal bar 55 is formed integrally with the lower inner end of the lever arm 54 and is adapted to be extended outwardly through a notch or recess 56 on the lower side of the end frame member I6. A looped handle 51 is formed on the extreme outer end of the horizontally-extending bar 55, the handle being disposed between the outer side of the end frame member I6 and'one of the handle bars, as the handle bar 34. A washer 58 is loosely engaged about the outwardly-extending horizontal bar 55 and bears against the inner surface of the end frame member I6 on the opposite sides of the inside end of the groove or notch 56. AV

second washer 59' is xed on the inner end of the horizontally-extending bar 55 spaced inwardly from the washer 58 and a resilient member or spring 60 is engaged between the washers 58 and 59 for constantly pressing the lever arm 54 inwardly about the pivot bar 41, and the horizontally-extending latching bar 5I inwardly relative to the tray member II for latching engagement in the recess 52 on the lower end of the leg 21.

In the use and operation of the serving tray constructed according to an embodiment of my invention, from the fully folded position, wherein the legs are enclosed between the frame members of the tray member II, with the handles 28 and 34 gripped in the hands of a person, the finger' of one hand of the person may be engaged in the loop 51 of the latch 46 for releasing the latch bar 5I from engagement in the recess 52 on the lower' `When the latchvmember 38 bears' effecting the pivotal movement of the latching member 38 about the corner 4 I, so that the upper end of the latch bar or member 38 will be seated below the shoulder or ledge 40. In this position of the latch 38, the legs are held in their extended position and any weight on the top of the tray ll will not affect the folding pivotal movement of the legs to the retracted position.

For folding the legs to their retracted position, the handle 34 is initially rocked upwardly in the same direction as when it was rocked for lowering the legs 3| and 32, this lowering rocking movement effecting the further pivotal movement of the latch 38 about the corner 4l at the lower end of the channels 3l, followed by dropping of the latch 38 into the recesses 39 and movement of the latch slidably along the recesses 39 and up and over the shoulders 49 and along the channels Sl until the latch 38 abuts against the adjacent ends of the channels 31 resulting in retracting of the legs to the under side of the tray member li. The springs 30 and 36 will bias the legs for retracted movement and as the legs near their extreme retracted position, the extreme lower edge 8| of the leg 2l will bear against the latching bar i for rocking the latch 46 in a position whereby the latching bar 5I may be spring pressed for engagement again in the recess 52 for holding the legs in their fully retracted position. The handles 28 and 34 provide for the carrying about of the tray I0, either with the legs folded entirely on the under side of the tray element l l or with the legs exposed in their extended position.

I do not mean to conf-lne myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A serving tray comprising a platform, an end plate positioned on each end of said platform and having one end dependingly secured thereto, a first pair of spaced legs each pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the end plate adjacent thereto, a second pair of spaced legs each pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the end plate adjacent thereto, said second pair of legs being arranged in criss cross relation with respect to said first pair of legs and connected at the criss cross point for movement toward and away from each other, a handle extending between said one end of each of said first and second pairs of legs and secured thereto, spring means operatively connected to each leg of said first and second pairs of legs and to the adjacent portion of said platform for urging the legs toward said platform, and latch means on one of said end plates and engageable with the other end of one of said first pair of legs for holding said legs in position of movement toward each other.

2. A serving tray comprising a platform, an end plate positioned on each end of said platform and having one end dependingly secured thereto, a rst pair of spaced legs each pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the end plate adjacent thereto, a second pair of spaced legs each pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the end plate adjacent thereto, said second pair of legs being provided with longitudinally extending slots intermediate their ends and said slots being formed with shoulders adjacent the other ends of said second pair of legs, said second pair of legs being arranged in criss cross relation with respect to and adjacent to one face of said rst pair of legs, a slide rockably supported on said one face of each of said rst pair of legs and projecting through the slot in the adjacent one of said second pair of legs for slidable movement therein, said slide being engaged against the adjacent shoulder in extended position of the legs, a handle extending between said one end of each of said first and second pairs of legs and secured thereto, spring means operatively connected to each leg of said first and second pairs of legs and to the adjacent portion of said platform for urging the legs toward said platform, and latch means on one of said end plates and engageable with the other end of one of said rst pair of legs for holding said legs in position of movement toward each other.

JOI-1N W. BRYAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 283,214 Dale Aug. 14, 1883 434,240 Bon 1 Aug. 12, 1890 848,465 Homeyer Mar. 26, 1907 1,237,269 Abraham Aug. 21, 1917 1,583,999 Scheibe May 11, 1926 1,721,138 Silverman July 16, 1929 1,944,757 Ritter Jan. 23, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 49,484 Norway Oct, 21, 1929 

